The Boston Celtics had to split their core ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
This decision came in light of the front office who wanted to avoid being slammed with a huge luxury tax under the second apron.
That’s why the Boston Celtics have made multiple deals. For example, Jrue Holiday was traded for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Speaking of holidays, Celtics’ Payton Pritchard recently made a heartwarming admission about double the NBA champion.
Holiday was a member of the Celtics for just two seasons, but he was a key figure in the team’s locker room.
Holiday was also the defensive anchor for the team during the 2024 NBA Championship run. Coming to Pritchard’s thoughts on the holidays, Celtics Guard made an emotional entrance on the Celtic Stoke podcast.
“It definitely sucks. You’ll become a brother with your teammates and you’ll definitely miss them. It’s part of the business side. You have to move on,” Pritchard said.
He added: “I personally think that’s why he won the championship, like my brother, someone I’ve learned a lot, one of the best teammates I’ve ever had, like a competitor.
There are serious concerns about the hopes of next C’s postseason next season, as holidays are traded and Jason Tatum could make up the majority of the regular season.
As mentioned earlier, many who are hoping for the Celtics to make a postseason will not only be competing for the NBA championship next season.
However, Pritchard’s statement after the holiday departure may suggest a variety of plans.
“We have to reorganize and find new identities. People have to step up, and we have to go back to that level,” Pritchard said.
He also praised Christapus Porzingis, saying he was “talented” and said he was happy that Luke Cornett would win a big deal.
With Pritchard’s comments in mind, it’s no surprise that he will take over the role of Holiday as the leader of the locker room and take over the glue that will hold the team together.